Obituary for
Debra (Hallman) Graves (Beauchea)

COHOES – Debra A. (Beauchea) Hallman Graves, 61, a much loved wife, mother, nanny, daughter, sister, niece and aunt, passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Troy on December 2, 1956, Debbie was the dear daughter of Mary Lou (O’Neil) Beauchea of East Greenbush and the late Allen Hartnagle whose wife Gail survives of Florida. She had a loving relationship with her late step-father, Charles Beauchea whom she thought of as a father figure.

Debbie was educated at the Little Red School House in North Greenbush; the Gardner-Dickinson School in Wynantskill; Catholic Central High School in Troy and Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

Following her education, she took employment with the State of New York where she worked for several years before dedicating herself to her home and to raising her family. She later returned to State employment where she continued for 16 more years before her retirement from the Department of Health, AIDS Institute in Albany.

Debbie loved life and found happiness in so many things. She especially loved gardening, antiquing, traveling and spending time with her family and friends. When you were with Debbie she made you feel like summer. She lit up a room with her smile and her heart which she shared with so many. She could be the queen of silly or the queen of style. She never missed a chance to be outside or jump in any water. She left us much too early to be with “her honey” and David but, in doing so, showed us that every moment is special when you are with people you care for.

She was the much loved wife of the late Matthew F. Graves who died on January 27th of this year.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her loving son, Ryon Hallman and his wife Valerie of Latham; her step-daughter, Jennifer Graves Quigg and her husband David of Seattle, Washington; her grandchildren, Macy, Nate and Westerly Quigg; her brother and sisters, Michael Beauchea (Elly) of Cobleskill, Michele Plummer (Bill) of Melrose and Monique Neaton of Potsdam; and her aunt, Janie Wade of Cohoes. She is also survived by her former husband, Ted Hallman (Theresa) of Albany, several nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and special friends that meant the world to Debbie.

A special thank you is extended to the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany and to Dr. Thomas Lovely for the care given to Debbie and for the support offered to her family. You made such a difference in so many ways and we will forever be grateful.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 11 am in St. Henry’s Church in Averill Park where the Reverend Thomas Holmes will officiate. Interment will be held privately. Friends are invited to attend the Mass and are also invited to visit with Debra’s family on Thursday, from 4 until 8 pm at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway in Watervliet.

To those who would like to remember Debbie in a special way, in lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations be made to the Community Hospice, Gift Processing Center, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.